U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a schedule has been set for direct talks with Iran, stating that "they want to negotiate." Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump revealed that Iran has requested a meeting and is ready to reach a settlement. Expressing optimism, he added, “Hopefully, no further attacks will be necessary. Dialogue can lead to resolution.” Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, mentioned the meeting may take place “within the next week.”

The first round of indirect ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in Qatar has ended without any breakthrough.

Hamas had proposed amendments to the draft agreement, but Israel rejected them outright. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, killing at least 82 Palestinians on Sunday, including 39 in Gaza City alone.

U.S. President Donald Trump remains hopeful that a ceasefire deal could still be reached within the week. However, the lack of clear directives for the Israeli negotiators has stalled finalization of the agreement.

Russia is exploring the possibility of waiving visa requirements for Saudi nationals, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart in Moscow. Lavrov praised Saudi Arabia’s balanced foreign policy and peace efforts, noting a 570% increase in Saudi tourists to Russia. The two sides also discussed strengthening bilateral ties, the situation in Gaza, ceasefire efforts, and Iran’s nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stated that China does not want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, as it could shift U.S. geopolitical focus directly onto China. During a meeting with the EU in Brussels, Wang reportedly said a prolonged conflict could serve China’s interests by keeping the U.S. engaged elsewhere. Meanwhile, Ukraine has alleged that some Russian-used drones are Chinese-made and that Beijing is providing military assistance—claims China has denied.

Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The Russian Foreign Ministry accepted the credentials of a new ambassador from the Taliban-led administration. Russian officials expressed hope that this step will strengthen bilateral cooperation. In a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Dmitry Zhirnov, the move was described as a model for others to follow, with Russia taking the lead in formal recognition.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that all Middle East crises, including those involving Iran, must be resolved through political and diplomatic means. During a one-hour phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the Iran-Israel conflict, and various global issues. According to the Kremlin, Russia supports peaceful resolution to all international disputes. However, on the Ukraine issue, Putin reaffirmed that Moscow will not compromise on its strategic goals, although it remains open to negotiations.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on Japan to enhance its cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of investment, fisheries, support for the Rohingya crisis, and youth development. During a meeting with JICA Vice President Miyazaki Katsura, he identified Matarbari as a strategically significant region and expressed interest in developing a blue economy. Dr. Yunus also raised issues related to employment opportunities for youth, Japanese language education, and support for women's participation in sports. JICA is currently considering a proposal to increase its development aid from 300 to 450 billion yen.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the OIC, M.J.H. Javed, met with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to request continued support in maintaining international pressure on Myanmar regarding the Rohingya crisis. The OIC chief assured that the organization would continue advocating for Bangladesh across UN platforms until peaceful repatriation is achieved. Javed also urged financial support to sustain Gambia’s legal case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Myanmar’s alleged genocide.

Bangladesh is engaged in ongoing discussions with India over the sharing of transboundary river waters, and there is "no procrastination" in the process, according to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. Addressing reporters, he also confirmed that talks are underway to establish a UN Human Rights Office in Dhaka for a three-year period. The proposal remains at the draft stage and will be finalized only if both sides reach a consensus. Future governments may extend the agreement. He declined to comment further on the draft, saying it would be inappropriate before a final version is agreed upon. Regarding the 36 Bangladeshis reportedly detained in Malaysia, he stated that no official information has been received yet.

Iran has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he stopped Israel and U.S. forces from assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The Iranian foreign ministry called the remarks a violation of the UN Charter, an insult to the Muslim world, and an affront to a respected civilization. Tehran warned that such rhetoric undermines global dialogue and cooperation, urging the U.S. to abandon its aggressive tone. Iran also demanded international accountability for any attacks on its peaceful nuclear facilities and asserted that these actions damage America's diplomatic credibility in the Middle East.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments should not be seen as a genuine attempt to engage in dialogue or resolve issues. Instead, they are better understood as part of a calculated psychological and media-driven game. The statement reflects Tehran’s continued skepticism of Washington's intentions in the region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In a statement, Rubio emphasized that Iran must never be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to establish lasting peace between Israel and Iran and to maintain regional stability. Notably, Pakistan does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

India has expressed its readiness to engage in dialogue with Bangladesh on all matters in an “appropriate environment.” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated that there are established diplomatic mechanisms between Dhaka and New Delhi that can address every aspect of bilateral relations. According to reports, four experts have been invited to India’s Parliament for a discussion on the “Future of India-Bangladesh Relations.” Commenting on the recent meeting among Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan, Jaiswal said, “We continuously monitor developments in our neighborhood and assess how they impact India’s interests and security. While our relations with each country are unique, we evaluate them in light of evolving circumstances.”

Bangladesh is not entering into any alliance, clarified Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain regarding the recent trilateral meeting held in Kunming at the foreign secretary level.

"The initiative came from China and was entirely at the official level, not political. The discussions focused solely on connectivity, trade, and economic cooperation—nothing beyond that," he said.

When asked whether the meeting had any anti-India undertone, Hossain firmly stated, "We are not targeting any third country. In fact, if India wishes, I would gladly support a trilateral initiative involving Bangladesh, Nepal, and India to discuss connectivity or other such matters—even as soon as tomorrow."

Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain has clarified that while relations with India are not "cold," they are undergoing a phase of "readjustment." He noted that current diplomatic ties are not as close as they were during the tenure of the previous administration. Regarding Myanmar, Hossain emphasized that apart from the Rohingya crisis, no major conflict exists, and the only sustainable solution is their safe and dignified repatriation. He acknowledged Bangladesh's limited progress in this regard but expressed hope for future efforts.